This mentor is unavailable at this time
Conversion Requirements
Brit Milah/Hatafat: Yes (personal supervision not required but a certificate is required)
Mikvah: Yes | Location: The American Jewish University, Los Angeles
Also able to coordinate with a rabbi in the student’s geographical area. Mikveh must be done in person— cannot be virtual. Willing to consider alternatives if mikvaot are not available.
Bet Din: Yes (3 rabbis — all ordained by accredited rabbinic seminaries; may be post/trans denominationally ordained or may be ordained through one of the movements)
Conversion Location: Los Angeles, CA
Students Accepted: Chai and Mitzvah
Pandemic-related safety measures:
– Brit milah/hatafat: Coordinate with Mohel
– Mikvah: American Jewish University
– Beit din: Virtually (Zoom)
I work with candidates who are:
LGBTQ+
Families: If there is a child conversion, both parents must certify in writing that they wish to have the child converted and will raise the child as a Jew.
I am a member of a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-faith, and gay-straight family. I am delighted to work with all kinds of families. There is a profound sacredness when parents and children convert together.
In interfaith or dual-faith relationships: Spiritual journeys are unique to every person–and they can get complicated. I want to provide support for those who are on the path to conversion while also providing support for existing relationships and family structures.
If the partners are legally married, the partner (whether non-Jewish or Jewish) must meet with me during the study/discernment period. By the time of conversion, the spouse must state in writing that there are no objections to the conversion and that they will contribute to the establishment of a Jewish home.
If there is a conversion of a minor child in addition to the conversion of an adult, both parents/guardians must state in writing that they support the child’s conversion and will provide the child with a Jewish education and environment.
Personal Statement
When I was 12 years old, I took an aptitude test that showed that the career for which I was best suited was clergy; the second best was teacher. But, when I was 12, there were no female clergy. I did the second-best thing: I earned a PhD and became a college professor. Times changed. Life happened. And I wanted deeper connections with God and with human beings. I applied to The Academy for Jewish Religion-California’s fully accredited, pluralistic, egalitarian and trans-denominational rabbinical school. I studied with Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Renewal, Reconstructionist and Humanist rabbis, cantors, lay teachers, and students. I was ordained by a Modern Orthodox rabbi, a Renewal rabbi, and a Reform rabbi; my sponsor was a Conservative rabbi. I am trained in and attuned to the full spectrum of Jewish practices. So, when people ask me what kind of a rabbi I am, my answer is simple and heartfelt: “A good one, I hope.”
I am a member of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and a Governor of the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din, the world’s only trans-denominational Bet Din. I have served as a congregational rabbi, a hospice rabbi, and a hospital rabbi. I find joy in writing and officiating at creative, soulful rituals. As a certified Jewish Spiritual Director, I bring the principles of Spiritual Direction into my work with those who are on the journey to Judaism. It is my deep joy and great honor to accompany individuals who are on the holy journey to becoming a Jew.
Additional Conversion Requirements (Exceptions during the pandemic)
Final conversion rituals (bet din, mikvah, etc.) that I sponsor must be physical and in-person, not virtual/online.
Education
3 Masters degrees (1 in Rabbinic Studies)
Jewish End of Life (Gamliel Institute)
4 Units Clinical Pastoral Education, Rabbinic Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care (Yeshiva University)
Sacred Chant (Kol Zimra)
Certified Mikveh Guide (Rising Tide)
Certified Spiritual Director (Yedidya)
